Portable fire-extinguisher.



G. T PEARSONS. PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.22,1915- I Patented Oct. 23, 1917..

5] vwdwtoz 6? 7 35 17225 auif% AiTN GEORGE T. PEARSONS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

PORTABLE FIRE-EXTING-UISHER.

Specification of Letters Patent. Ptentedflct, 23, 191% 7 Application filed March 22,1915. Seria1No.16,300.

To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, GEORGE T. PEARSONS,

citizen ofthe United-States of America, residing at New York city, county of New York, tate of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Portable Fire-Extinguishers, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawing. I

This invention relates to fire extinguisher in which a fire extinguishing liquid is con,- tained in a tank or reservoir-having a dis charge outlet and having a generator therein to normally hold gas generating materials in a separated condition and free from the liquid in the tank, and it is the principal object of the invention to provide, a fire extinguisher of this character in which the generated gas will act upon the fire extinguishing liquid in the tank to expel the same when the latter is held in various positions, whether in an upright or inverted position, or in a horizontal position, and provide means whereby the discharge outlet is in communication with the liquid in the lowermost part of. the tank whatever the discharge position of the latter may be.

A further object of the invention relates to a generator to normally hold gas generating materials in a separated non-reactive condition with means operable from the ex terior of the tank to cause said materials toadmix or combine and to hold the reacting mixture free from the liquid in the tank, but'to permit it to pass into the tank to act upon the liquid therein to expel the same no matter in. what position the tank may be held. 1

Another object of the invention is to provide improved means in extinguishers of this character in which the discharge outlet for the tank has a pair of intakes constructed to rotate about an axis centrally of the tank whereby the outlet will be connected at all times, and no matter in what position it may be held, with the liquid in the lowermost part of the tank, and means to automatically cut off one of said intakes when the other is in communication with the outlet. i

In the drawing accompanying and forming a part of this specification Figure 1 is a sectional side elevation of a fire extinguisher embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional'detail of the closure plug. I Fig. 3 is a sectional'detailoi a valve to normally seal the generator from the tank; and Fig; 4 is a sectional detail to show the manner of supporting the generator and the closing cover therefor.

In carrying outthe invention I provide a tank or reservoir to contain suitable fireextinguishing liquid, said tank consisting of a tubular portion 1 and a bottom 2 to also serve as a supporting base, and a top 3 hav ing a central opening'with an internal and external screw threaded flanged member 8 extending into the tank." The top has a discharge opening 4 inwhich engages a coupl ng 5, in the present instance a valve cou pllng, and to which may be connected the usual flexible hose (not shown). The tank is filled through an opening 6 in the top whichis normally closed by a screw threaded cap or plug 7. p

Secured to the external screw threads of the flange 8 is a receptacle 9 which is in the nature of a gas generating chamber, and adapted to carry a suitablegas generating material such as bicarbonate of soda in a suitable form, said receptacle having a pair of discharge outlets 10, 11 leading to the tank to which are connected valve chambers 12, 12 having outwardlyopening and inwardly closing check valves, whereby the material and the reacting gas inthe receptacle 9 are free from the liquid inthe tank, the pressure of the gases in the receptacle 9 unseating the valvesto automatically connect the receptacle with the tank and permit the 'dis charge of the generated gas to the latter. Each of the valve chambers 12', 12 has a projecting portion 13,113 adapted to aline with openings in the top of the tank, and such projecting portions having a perforation closed by a cap or plug 14,14, from the exterior of the tank, said plugs also serving to seal the. openings in the top of the tank through which the plugs pass. By this means access may be had to the valves from the exterior of the tank for cleaning or otherwise. The intake to the valve chamber 12 is directly at the top of the receptacle, whereas the intake to the valve chamber 12 trallv is adjacent the bottom of the receptacle by connecting a tube 15 thereto and for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

A. reacting mixture to produce gas may consist of the bicarbonate of soda in the receptacle 9 and sulfuric or hydrochloric acid. However, these materials must be maintained in a separated condition until such time as it is desired to utilize the extinguisher. For this.- purpose I provide. for such other gas producing agenta second receptacle 16 of non-corrodibl'e material, and said receptacle may be of the form shown in the drawing having a neck constituted to have screw threaded connection with a cover or closure 17 for the opening in the top of the tank and by which cover said receptacle-is carried. This cover has screw threaded connection with the internal threads of the flange Sand has a portion to overlap the top and between which overlapping portion and the top a suitable packing ring may be interposed. By connecting receptacle 16 to the cover in the manner shown the gas generating material carried thereby is sealed from the material in the receptacle 9 with the result that there will be no gradual evolution of gases whlch wouldin time materially affect the gas producing quality of the materials.

To release the acid from the receptacle 16 to permit it to admix with the material in the receptacle 9, the former has a weakened portion, in the present instance showncenthereof as at 18, andmeans are provided to rupture or break the receptacle from the exterior of the tank. For this purpose the cover 17 has an'opening in line with the .opening in the neck of the receptacle 16 with screw threads preferably of a steep pitch. Screw threaded into said opening and passing into the receptacle is a stem or plunger 19 of suitable material wlth its lower end adjacent the bottom of the receptacle, and which end-may have a head or the like 20 connected thereto. To make the openingin the cover air tight there is provideda stuffing box, as at 21 through which the plunger passes. A hand grip .22 is fixed to the outer end of the plunger or stem to rotate the same. It is obvious that by rotating the stem and forcing it against the bot tom it will cause the receptacle to separate at the weakened portion 18 and'permit the contents to drop into the generator 9 and admix with the gas generating material therein and instantaneously generate gas. To assure the emptying of the contents from the separated bottom of the receptacle16 one end of a chain or .the like is connected to the cover 17 and the other. endto thebottom ofthe receptacle.

As gas is generated when the extinguisher isin an upright position the pressure of the Laaspee the tank from the generator in such position of'the extingulsher the outlet 12 having the intake tube 15 extending to adjacent the bottom of the generator is provided. It will thus be obvious that when the extinguisher is used in upright position the generatedjgas will pass throughthe outlet 12 the v discharge of the gas through outlet 12being prevented by the gasv generating materials, and when-the extinguisher isinverted thedischarge of the gas is prevented through the outlet. 12 by such materials. As the receptacle 16 is broken the acid contained, therein coming in contact with the soda does,

not immediately penetrate and pass through the soda, but as it comes incontact with the upper surface or layer of the soda it instantly forms a saturated layer at the upper portionof the soda and evolves gas. This gas pressuretaking the course of least resistance will pass through the outlet 12, as-

suming that the extinguisher, is in upright position. The acid gradually passes through the soda until it formswith the whole of the soda, or that portion which has not already been expended, a saturated cake, but at no time is there a liquid'which could be forced through the outlets of the generator. After the soda is saturated with the acid it is quite possible that gas may also be discharged through the outlet 12 but this is not detrimental to the operation of the extinguisher. The provision of the two outlets fronrthe generator, the one 12 with its intake adjacent the bottom of the generator, permits of the easy and ready exit ofithe gas from the generator to the tank or reservoir during the early stages of the gas production, whether the extinguisher isheld in upright or inverted position. of the outlets12, 12 by the gas generating materials the generator has a screen 37 adjacent the bottom butat a point above the inlet to the intake tube 15, and a screen 38 atthe top adjacent the outlet 12 and upon which screens the gasgenerating materials are supported in the various positions of the extinguisher. Toconnect the discharge out.- lct of the reservoir at all times with the liquid inthe lowermost part of. the reservoir and permit of the discharge of the liquid from the tank in various positions thereof, as in an upright, inverted or hori zontal position, the outlet-4 has a pair of.

To prevent choking up mean/59 ,1

intakes 23, 24, the inlet of, intake 23 being located at the upper end of the tank and adjacent the side and theinlet of intake 24 at the bottom adj acent the side. The intakes are, adapted to have rotation about an axis centrally of the tank whereby they will assume a. position in the lowermost part of the reservoir or tank when-held in a hOI'l: zontal position.- For this purpose a tube 25 is connected at one end to the, discharge outlet and at the otherend with a tubular member 26 supported ontheunder side of the bottom of the generator 9, and in which is rotatably mounted one end of a pipe 26, the other end of said pipe being closed and rotatablysupported in the bottom of the tank as at. 27., The intakes 23 and 24 are in theform oftubes connected to the pipe 26 one adjacent the upper end of the pipev with its inlet end to lie adjacent the side and one end of the tank and the other adj acent the lower end of the pipe with its inletadjacent the side and the end of the tank-as clearly shown in the drawing. r

To cause the pipe 26 with the intakes to rotate so that the latter will assume a position at all times in the lowermost part of the tank there is connected to the pipea weight 28.

To out be one vof the intakes when the other is in communication with the outlet 4 so that only one intake will be connected to the outlet, as for instance the intake 24 when the extinguisher is in an upright position as shown in the drawing to prevent of the discharge of the expelling gas or agent, I provide valve mechanism comprising a tube 29tslidably mounted in'the pipe 26 having a series of circumferentially disposed ports 30 and 31 in line with annular recesses in the tube. To impart sliding movement to said tube the weight 28 is pivotally connected at 32 to a bracket 33 fixed to the pipe 26?, a pin 34 fixed in the. pipe 29 passing through a longitudinal slot 36 in the pipe 26 and engaging in a transverse slot 35 in the weight carrying arm.) When the extinguisher is in an upright position as shown in the drawing the intake 24 will be connected through the ports 31 with the discharge outlet tube 25 through the tube.

29, and the ports 30 will be in position to be closed by the pipe 26 and the tube 29 will cut ofi the intake tube 23 from the dis-' charge outlet tube 25. It will be obvious that when the extinguisher is in an upright position or in a slightly inclined position, or in a horizontal position, intake 24 will be in operative connection with the discharge outlet and that such intake will be maintained by the weight 24 in the liquid in the slide the tube 29 so that the ports 30 will be in connection with the intake 23,. and connect the lattertothe discharge outlet tube 25, access to the discharge outlet by the intake 24 being cutoff by the tube129. By the pin and slot connection 34,35, and 36 with the pipes 26 and 29, said pipes will be simultaneously rotatedl Should it be desired ,to stop the discharge of the liquid*from,;the, tank while the gas is still, -being' generated in the receptacle 9 meansareprovided to relieve the gas pressures. in the tank and thereby prevent the expelling of the li uid therefrom. For this purpose the plug for the filler opening. 6 has a central vperforation 40 with ,which lateral perforations 41 in the plug communicate. l/Vhen the plug isseated these openings, are closed bythe walls of the filler opening and the lateraliperforations,are so arranged that by givingthe, plug a slight,

rotation theywillbe uncovered and thegas will be permitted to escape therethrough.

Having thus described my invention, I claim: 1

1. In a fire extinguisher, the combination specified. 1 2. In a fire extinguisher, the'combination with a tank to contain fire, extinguishing liquid having a discharge outlet, of a generator'in said tank'to hold gas generating materials in a separated condition and ,hav mg anoutlet-into the tank; a, check valve,

for said outlet to control the discharge of the gasfrom the generator to the tank, the

casing of said valve having a lateral projecting portion with an, opening therein adaptedtobe placedin line with an open-; ing in the'reservoir whereby access may be..-

had to the interior of the valve from the exterior of the reservoir; and a removable closure for the opening in said projecting portion to be applied thereto from the exterior of the tank, substantially as and for the purpose specified. 1

3. In a fire extinguisher, the combination with a tank to contain fire extinguishing liquid having a discharge outlet, of a gen,-,

erator in said tank suspended from the top thereof tohold gas generating materials in a separatedcondition; a pair of outlets ads jacent the top of the generator tothe tank, one of said outlets having an inlet in the generator adjacent the top thereof and the other an in'let adjacent the bottom -of the generator to permit-of the passage of the.

gas: from-the generator to the tank'when the tank is held in eitlier an upright or inverted position; substantially as and forthe purpose specified. I

4. In a fire extinguishen the combination Witha tank to contain fire extinguishing liquid having-a discharge outlet-, of agenerator in said tank suspended from the-ztop i thereof to holdgas generating materials-ins: a separated condition and havingr'a pair of outlets adj acent the topto the tank; one of saidoutlets leading I from the bottom: ofthe generator to permit ofthepassage of the gas from the generator to thetank when in an inverted position and the other leading from the-top; and outwardlyOpeningcheck valves to control the'passage of ithevgases from the generator to thetank; substantially as and for the purpose specified;

5. In a fire extinguisher, the combination with a tank to contain fire extinguishing liquid having a discharge outlet, of a gem:

erator in said tank suspended'from' the top thereof to hold gas generating materials in" a separated condition and having a pair of outlets adjacent the top of the tank, one 'of' .1 said outlets leading from the bottom ofithe generator to permit-thepassage of the gas from the generator to the ta'nk'when in an inverted position and-the other leading from the top; screens in said generatonad acent each outlet; check valves for said outlets,

the chambers-of Which-valves each having;

a perforated projecting portion-in line With openings in the tank; and caps to close saidperforations from outside of the tank,isubstantially as and for the purpose specified:

6. In a fire extinguisher thecombination With a tank to contain fire extinguishing liquid having a discharge outlet, of a gen-' erator therein suspended from the top thereof tohold'gas generatingmaterials in a separated condition and having a pair of outlets to the tank adjacent the top, the

intake of one of said outlets being adjacent the top of the generator and the intakeof the other outlet adj acent the bottoms and an-outwardly opening and inwardly closingi check valve in each-outlet to control the passageiof the gases from the generator to the tank, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

7. In a fire extinguisher, the, combination with a tank to contain fire extinguishing liquid, of a generator in said tank to hold gas generating materials in a separated condition and free from the liquidin the tank and having an outlet'leading to the tank; a discharge outlet for thetank having a pair ofintakes, one adjacent to each end of the tank and means to cut ofi'one of the intakes when the other :is in communicatiom Withvthe 'diseharge outlet; substantially as and for the purpose specified.

8. Inna-fire extinguisher, the combination 1 with a: tank to contaiir'fire extinguishing liquid, and' a generator therein to hold gas generatingfmaterials in a {separated condi tion and free 'from the liquid in' the' tank; and having an: outlet leading. to the-tank, of a discharge outlet for the tank, and a pair of intakes for said outlet, one adjacent each end :of the tankand the side thereof,

and both intakesconcomitantly rotatable about an axis centrally'of' the tank, substantially as "and for the purpose specified' 9. In a: fire z extinguisher, the combination with a tank. to contain fireextinguishing liquid, anda generator therein to hold gas generating 'i'nate'rials in a separated condition and free i from the liquid 'in the tank" tank in various positions thereof, substan tially as and for the purpose specified.

10-. Ina fire extinguisher, the combination with a tank to contain-fire extinguishing liquidand havingan outlet,and a generator therein to hold gas generating materials in a-separated condition and free from the liquid in the tank; a pair of intakes for said outlet, one adjacent each end of the tank and the side thereof, and both'intakes concomitantly rotatable about an axis centrally ofthe-tank; means to cause said intakes to rotate and assume a position below the axis ofv rotation whereby liquid may be d1scharged from the tank in various positions thereof; and valve mechanism to cut off one of the intakes When the other intake is in communication h with the discharge outlet, substantially as and forthe purpose specified."

11. In a fireextinguisher, the combination with a tank to contain fire extinguishing liquid, of a gas generator therein to hold-- gas generating materials in a separated conditioir'and ITGQ'IIOHI the liquid in the tank means exterior of the tank to cause said materials to admix; a pair of 'valve dis charge outlets adj acent'the top'of said generatorleading to the tank and the intake of "one of said outlets being I adjacent the bottom 1 of the generator whereby the gas be discharged "to the tank in various posltions thereof; a discharge'outlet' forthe tank; and a pair ofintakes for said outlet,

one adj acenti each: end of the tank and the side there-ch and bothw-intakesconco'mitantly rotatable about an axis centrally of ification in the presence of three subscrib- 10 the tank whereby liquid may be discharged ing Witnesses, this Nineteenth day of March from the tank in various positions thereof; 1915. and Valve mechanism to out ofi one of the 5 intakes When the other intake is in com- PEABSONS' munication With the tank outlet, substan- Witnesses:

tially as and for the purpose specified. 7 JOHN MARTIN,

In testimony whereof, the said GEORGE T. e M. M. SHIELDS,

PEARSONS has signed his name to this spec- C. W. WARNER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

